Gelem, Gelem is often used as the anthem of the Romani people. It is known by many (often similar names) including "Gyelem, Gyelem", "Dzelem, Dzelem", "Dželem, Dželem", "Đelem, Đelem", "Djelem, Djelem", "Ђелем, Ђелем", "Ѓелем, Ѓелем","Џелем, Џелем", "Джелем, джелем" (cyrillic), "Opré Roma" and "Romale Shavale".
After the devastation suffered by the Romanis during the Porajmos, Žarko Jovanović composed the words and set them to a traditional melody. The Romani song was adopted by delegates of the first World Romani Congress in 1971.
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Original Gelem, gelem, lungone dromensa A Romale, A Chavale Vi man sas ek bari familiya, A Romale, A Chavale Puter Dewla le parne wudara A Rromalen, A chavalen Opre Rroma isi vaxt akana A Rromalen, A chavalen. |
Translation 1 I went, I went on long roads O Roma, O brothers I once had a great family, O Roma, O brothers Open, God, Black
doors O Roma, O brothers Up, Gypsy! Now is the time O Roma, O brothers |
Alternate Translation I have travelled over long roads Oh, Romani adults, Oh Romani youth Oh, Roma, from wherever you have come To where the Romani roads have been opened Oh, Roma adults, Oh, Roma youth Translation by Ron Lee, dunav.org |